Non-abrasive cleaning products

ABSTRACT

The subject invention relates to cleaning products that are highly effective in cleaning articles that are susceptible to scratching, scuffing and/or abrasion. More specifically, the present invention relates to cleaning products that are made with a non-abrasive fabric that is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder into the form of a sheet. These cleaning products are highly effective at removing foreign matter from a substrate surface without scratching or scuffing the surface of the substrate. These cleaning products can be use to clean inanimate articles and in cleaning open lesions on humans and animals. The present invention more specifically discloses a method for cleaning an article which is susceptible to scratching, scuffing and/or abrasion which comprises rubbing the surface of the article with a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder. The subject invention further reveals a mitt having a body, a thumb compartment, and a finger compartment wherein said mitt is comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/174,765, filed on May 1, 2009. The teachings ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/174,765 are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning dirt, grime, dust, and other types of foreign matter offarticles is an age old problem. This problem is more challenging incases where the foreign matter adheres tightly to the surface of the“dirty” article and is further complicated in cases where the surface ofthe article can be scratched in the cleaning process. For instance,cleaning scorched food from the surface of pots and pans can be adifficult proposition. Cleaning burnt food from cooking surfaces is alsoa commonly encountered problem. Cleaning grime and residual soap scumoff fiberglass shower stalls is particularly challenging becausecleansers that are abrasive enough to remove the grime and scum willtypically scratch the fiberglass surface while milder cleaning productstypically prove to be ineffective. Another, common problem is to cleanbug residue off the front of motor vehicles. Again, cleaning productsthat are effective at removing the bug residue can damage the surface ofthe vehicle if extreme care is not implemented.

Cleaning a dirty wound on humans and animals can be a difficult problem.This is because it is beneficial to minimize further tissue damage to anopen lesion. This is often difficult to accomplish in cases where dirtand other foreign matter is present in the open wound. For example,victims of motorcycle accidents typically have multiple cuts andabrasions that can contain various kinds of debris, dirt, small stones,and the like. It is, of course, important to clean foreign matter out ofsuch lesions. However, injuries of this type are normally difficult tothoroughly clean without causing further tissue damage.

Over the years, better cleaning products that are more or less suitablefor use in particular situations have been developed. However, cleaningstains, cooked-on grime, and dirt that has a strong affinity for thesurface of an article continues to be a problem in the case of surfacesthat are susceptible to being scratched or scuffed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to cleaning products that are highlyeffective in cleaning articles that are susceptible to scratching,scuffing and/or abrasion. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to cleaning products that are made with a non-abrasive fabricthat is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers which arebound together with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder into theform of a sheet. These cleaning products are highly effective atremoving foreign matter from a substrate surface without scratching orscuffing the surface of the substrate. These cleaning products can beuse to clean inanimate articles and in cleaning open lesions on humansand animals.

The present invention more specifically discloses a method for cleaningan article which is susceptible to scratching, scuffing and/or abrasionwhich comprises rubbing the surface of the article with a non-abrasivefabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fiberswhich are bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder.

The subject invention further reveals a mitt having a body, a thumbcompartment, and a finger compartment wherein said mitt is comprised ofa non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-wovenpolyester fibers which are bound together in the form of a sheet with anethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder.

The present invention also discloses a finger sleeve which is adapted tofit over a human finger to facilitate the cleaning of animal teeth,animal ears and articles of manufacture wherein said finger sleeve iscomprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitude ofnon-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in the form of asheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder.

The subject invention further discloses a pouch which is adapted to fitover the fingers of a human to facilitate the application of polishes,waxes, cleaners to substrates wherein said pouch is comprised of anon-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-wovenpolyester fibers which are bound together in the form of a sheet with anethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder.

The present invention also relates to a cleaning pad which is comprisedof a front sheet and a back sheet wherein the front sheet and the backsheet are comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of amultitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in theform of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder,wherein the front sheet and the back sheet are joined together toencapsulated a cleanser within an enclosed area between the front sheetand the back sheet.

The subject invention also reveals a cleaning pad which is comprised ofa front sheet and a back sheet wherein the front sheet and the backsheet are comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of amultitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in theform of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder,wherein the front sheet and the back sheet are joined together toencapsulated a disinfectant within an enclosed area between the frontsheet and the back sheet.

The present invention also discloses a cleansing pad having a first sidewhich is comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of amultitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in theform of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder and asecond side which is comprised of terry cloth.

The subject invention further reveals a cleaning towel which iscomprised of a top half which is comprised of a non-abrasive fabricwhich is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers whichare bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder and a bottom half is comprised of terry cloth.

The present invention also relates to a wound cleaning cloth kit whichis particularly useful for cleaning open wounds in humans and animalswhile minimizing tissue damage which is comprised of a non-abrasivefabric which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fiberswhich are bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder, wherein the non-abrasive fabric issterilized, and wherein the non-abrasive fabric is in a sealed pouchthat is impervious to penetration by bacteria. In such wound cleaningcloths the non-abrasive fabric can optionally include an antibacterialsoap or a cleanser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet of the non-abrasive fabric of this invention1 which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers whichare bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mitt 2 having a body 3, a thumb compartment 4 and afinger compartment 5 which is comprised of the non-abrasive fabric ofthis invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a finger sleeve 6 which is adapted to fit over theform of a human finger 7 to facilitate the cleaning of animal teeth,animal ears and articles of manufacture, wherein the finger sleeve iscomprised of the non-abrasive fabric of this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pouch 8 which is adapted to fit over the secondfinger 9, third finger 10, fourth finger 11 and fifth finger 12 of ahuman hand 13 wherein the pouch 8 is comprised of the non-abrasivefabric of this invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cleaning pad 14 which is comprised of a sponge 16which is at least partially encapsulated by a non-abrasive fabric 16which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers whichare bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder, wherein said sponge is impregnated with atleast one member of the group consisting of a cleaner, a soap, anemulsifier, a disinfectant, a toothpaste, a wax, and a polish.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cleaning pad 14 which is comprised of a sponge 15which is at least partially encapsulated by a non-abrasive fabric 16which is comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers whichare bound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cleaning cloth 17 which has a first side 18 whichis comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitudeof non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in the form of asheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder; and a secondside 19 which is comprised of terry cloth.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cleaning cloth 20 having a first segment 21 whichis comprised of a non-abrasive fabric which is comprised of a multitudeof non-woven polyester fibers which are bound together in the form of asheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder; and a secondsegment 22 which is comprised of terry cloth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cleaning products of this invention are manufactured utilizing anon-abrasive fabric that is comprised of a multitude of non-wovenpolyester fibers which are bound together with an ethylene-vinylchloride copolymer binder into the form of a sheet. The polyester usedin making the non-abrasive fabric is typically polyethyleneterephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate having an intrinsic viscositywhich is within the range of 0.45 dl/g to about 0.85 dl/g. The polyesterwill more typically have an intrinsic viscosity which is within therange of 0.50 dl/g to about 0.75 dl/g and will normally have anintrinsic viscosity which is within the range of 0.50 dl/g to about 0.70dl/g. In most cases the polyester will have an intrinsic viscosity whichis within the range of 0.55 dl/g to about 0.65 dl/g. It is normallypreferred to utilize a polyester having an intrinsic viscosity which iswithin the range of 0.60 dl/g to about 0.64 dl/g. Polyethyleneterephthalate resin (PET0 resins that are useful in the practice of thisinvention are commercially available from Gruppo Mossi & Ghisolfi andEastman Chemical. For instance, Cleartuf® P60 PET resin which has anintrinsic viscosity of 0.58 dl/gram, an acetaldehyde content of ≦80mg/kg, and a melting point of 250° C. can be used in manufacturing thenon-woven fabric. Cleartuf® P76 PET resin which has an intrinsicviscosity of 0.74 dl/gram, an acetaldehyde content of 1.0 ppm, and amelting point of 250° C. can optionally be used in manufacturing thenon-woven fabric.

The non-abrasive fabric is comprised of a multitude of non-wovenpolyester fibers which are bound together in the form of a sheet with anethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder. The polyester fibers in thenon-woven fabric typically have a diameter which is within the range ofabout 10 micrometers to about 50 micrometers and more have a diameterwhich is within the range of about 15 micrometers to about 40micrometers. In most cases the polyester fibers have a diameter which iswithin the range of about 20 micrometers to about 30 micrometers. It isnormally preferred for the polyester fibers have a diameter which iswithin the range of about 22 micrometers to about 27 micrometers.

The non-woven fabric will typically have a density which is within therange of about 0.01 grams/cc to about 0.40 grams/cc and will moretypically have a density which is within the range of about 0.02grams/cc to about 0.30 grams/cc. In most cases the non-abrasive fabricwill have a density which is within the range of about 0.03 grams/cc toabout 0.20 grams/cc. It is normally preferred for the non-abrasivefabric to have a density which is within the range of about 0.04grams/cc to about 0.15 grams/cc. It is generally more preferred for thenon-abrasive fabric to have a density that is within the range of about0.05 grams/cc to about 0.10 grams/cc. It is normally most preferred forthe non-abrasive fabric to have a density that is within the range ofabout 0.06 grams/cc to about 0.08 grams/cc.

The ethylene-vinyl chloride polymer (EVC) binder utilized inmanufacturing the non-woven fabric can optionally be crosslinked with anexternal crosslinker, such as melamine or a urea formaldehyde resin toachieve improved wet tensile properties. The use of ethylene-vinylchloride polymer emulsions as binders for nonwoven fabrics is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,568. The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,586 areincorporated herein by reference for the purpose of teachings the typesof ethylene-vinyl chloride polymer emulsions that can be used inmanufacturing non-woven fabrics and a for the purpose of teachingmethods for manufacturing non-woven fabrics with such EVC binders.

The non-woven fabric can be manufactured into a wide variety of productsthat are useful in specific cleaning applications. For instance, thenon-woven fabric can be processed into cleaning mitts, finger sleeves,cleaning pouches, and the like.

This invention is illustrated by the following examples that are merelyfor the purpose of illustration and are not to be regarded as limitingthe scope of the invention or the manner in which it can be practiced.Unless specifically indicated otherwise, parts and percentages are givenby weight.

EXAMPLE 1

A dirty boat hull was cleaned in accordance with the process of thisinvention utilizing a non-abrasive fabric that was comprised of amultitude of non-woven polyester fibers that were bound together in theform of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder. Ittook only a fraction of the time to clean the boat hull than wasrequired to clean it with conventional cleaning products. Thenon-abrasive fabric of this invention was easy to use and did notscratch the surface of the boat hull. It reduced the amount of timeneeded to clean the surface of the boat hull and made the cleaningproject easier.

EXAMPLE 2

In this experiment, two dinner plates with a residue of Chinese foodwere left in a sink for 2 days. The residue of the Chinese food wasallowed to dry onto the plates for a period of two days. One plate wascleaned using dishwashing liquid and an ordinary sponge. This plate wasdifficult to clean and required extensive scrubbing and hot water. Ittook three minutes to effectively clean the entire plate. The secondplate was cleaned using the same dishwashing liquid and the non-abrasivefabric and method of the subject invention. This plate was completelyclean after approximately one minute of scrubbing time.

EXAMPLE 3

In this experiment, half of a ceramic cooktop range was cleaned with aconventional cooktop cleaner and cleaning pad and the other half wascleaned with the same conventional cleaner but was cleaned in accordancewith the process of this invention utilizing a non-abrasive fabric thatwas comprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers that werebound together in the form of a sheet with an ethylene-vinyl chloridecopolymer binder. The entire cooktop was coated with burnt food residueand grease, smudges and mineral deposits. The half of the cooktopsurface that was cleaned with the non-abrasive fabric of this inventioncame much cleaner than the other half because no residue or fingerprintsremained and less scrubbing action was needed. It reduced the amount oftime needed to clean the surface of the cooktop and made the cleaningproject easier. The burnt food residue, grease, water residue, smudgesand mineral deposits were removed quickly and easily using the fabricand method of this invention.

EXAMPLE 4

In this experiment, the non-abrasive fabric of this invention was usedby nurses to clean a deep, bleeding wound on a person's leg. Thenon-abrasive fabric was compared to gauze which is what is normally usedto clean wounds. The nurses determined that the fabric of this inventioncleaned the wound better than conventional gauze because the gauze isslick, slippery and very thin. The gauze was quickly oversaturated andneeded to be thrown away and replaced with fresh gauze. Using thenon-abrasive fabric of this invention cleaned the wound much faster thanconventional gauze because it was more absorbent but gentle on the woundand did not damage human tissue.

EXAMPLE 5

In this experiment, an automobile was cleaned using both conventionalcar cleaning products and the method and non-abrasive fabric of thepresent invention. The right side of the car was cleaned using standardautomotive wash soap and a sponge and a cloth. The left side of the carwas cleaned using standard automotive wash soap and the non-abrasivefabric of the present invention. Using the non-abrasive fabric of thepresent invention, the left side of the car was easier and faster toclean. The non-abrasive fabric did not scratch the car's surface andalso did not leave the swirls on the car's finish as do otherconventional car cleaning products. Additional, the non-abrasive fabricmore easily removed dead bugs and insects from the windshield of the carbecause the fabric did not need to get as wet as a sponge to loosen andremove the dead bugs.

EXAMPLE 6

In this experiment, a set of golf clubs was cleaned. Half of the clubswere cleaned using a conventional golf club cleaning kit that includessponges, a jar of club cleaner, a towel, a groove cleaner and a two-waycleaning brush. The other half of the clubs was cleaned using the sameclub cleaner but with the non-abrasive fabric of the present invention.The clubs cleaned with the non-abrasive fabric came clean in less timethan those using the conventional kit. Because the non-abrasive fabriccould be used in place of the sponge, the towel and the cleaning brush,only one product needs to be purchased. The non-abrasive fabric wassuperior to the towels in cleaning the golf clubs because it is able toget the grime out of the grooves on the composite club head withoutscratching and also easily removes grass stains from the iron clubs.

EXAMPLE 7

In this experiment, a veterinarian used the non-abrasive fabric of thepresent invention in preparation for surgery on a dog being neutered inorder to compare it to the use of conventional gauze. The non-abrasivefabric was dampened with an antiseptic in order to clean the area to beoperated on. As in Example 4, the non-abrasive fabric proved to be muchmore efficient than using gauze because it was sturdier and moreabsorbent and less material needed to be used but was also gentle on theanimal's skin.

EXAMPLE 8

In the experiment, a white porcelain sink was cleaned using a powderedhousehold cleanser. The sink was severely stained with rust water stainsand tea stains which left it brown and dingy. Half of the sink wascleaned utilizing a non-scratch scrub sponge and the other half wascleaned utilizing the non-abrasive fabric of this invention. The sideusing the fabric of this invention became completely clean with minimalscrubbing while the other side came clean only after several minutes ofscrubbing with the sponge.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparentto those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications canbe made therein without departing from the scope of the subjectinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for cleaning an article which issusceptible to scratching, scuffing and/or abrasion which comprisesrubbing a surface of the article with a non-abrasive fabric which iscomprised of a multitude of non-woven polyester fibers which are boundtogether in the form of a sheet with a binder which consists of anethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder, wherein the non-wovenpolyester fibers have a diameter which is within the range of about 10micrometers to about 50 micrometers, and wherein the non-woven polyesterfibers are polyethylene terephthalate fibers or polyethylene naphthalatefibers.
 2. The method as specified in claim 1 wherein the article isselected from the group consisting of a boat hull, a power boatoutdrive, a boat rudder, a shower stall, a bathtub, a sink, a toilet, afaucet, a showerhead, a towel bar, a kitchen utensil, an oven, amicrowave oven, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a freezer, a stove, atable, a countertop, a hood, an automobile, a truck, a motorcycle, abicycle, a recreational vehicle, an airplane, an aircraft windshield, avehicle wheel, a golf club, a swimming pool, a firearm, a lawn chair, apatio table, a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle, a lawnmower, atractor, and a combine.
 3. The method as specified in claim 1 whereinthe article has a coated metal surface.
 4. The method as specified inclaim 1 wherein the article has a chrome plated surface.
 5. The methodas specified in claim 1 wherein the article has a fiberglass surface. 6.The method as specified in claim 1 wherein the non-woven polyesterfibers are polyethylene terephthalate fibers.
 7. The method as specifiedin claim 1 wherein the non-woven polyester fibers are polyethylenenaphthalate fibers.
 8. The method as specified in claim 1 wherein thenon-woven polyester fibers have a diameter within the range of about 15micrometers to about 40 micrometers.
 9. The method as specified in claim1 wherein the non-woven polyester fibers have a diameter within therange of about 20 micrometers to about 30 micrometers.
 10. The method asspecified in claim 1 wherein the non-woven polyester fibers have adiameter within the range of about 22 micrometers to about 27micrometers.
 11. The method as specified in claim 1 wherein thenon-woven polyester fibers are manufactured from a polyester having anintrinsic viscosity which is within the range of 0.45 dl/g to about 0.85dl/g.
 12. The method as specified in claim 1 wherein the non-wovenpolyester fibers are manufactured from a polyester having an intrinsicviscosity which is within the range of 0.50 dl/g to about 0.75 dl/g. 13.The method as specified in claim 1 wherein the non-woven polyesterfibers are manufactured from a polyester having an intrinsic viscositywhich is within the range of 0.55 dl/g to about 0.65 dl/g.
 14. Themethod as specified in claim 1 wherein the non-woven polyester fibersare manufactured from a polyester having an intrinsic viscosity which iswithin the range of 0.60 dl/g to about 0.64 dl/g.
 15. The method asspecified in claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive fabric has a density whichis within the range of about 0.01 grams/cc to about 0.40 grams/cc. 16.The method as specified in claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive fabric has adensity which is within the range of about 0.02 grams/cc to about 0.30grams/cc.
 17. The method as specified in claim 1 wherein thenon-abrasive fabric has a density which is within the range of about0.04 grams/cc to about 0.15 grams/cc.
 18. The method as specified inclaim 1 wherein the non-abrasive fabric has a density which is withinthe range of about 0.06 grams/cc to about 0.08 grams/cc.